Our office continues to be open to all new and existing patients. We use hospital-grade sanitizers and are taking measures to ensure patients maintain social distancing by not having anyone wait in our reception room with others. If you prefer to wait in your car, just give us a call and we will call or text you when we are ready to bring you straight into a treatment room. Our entire staff is wearing masks and we encourage you to do the same.

For those patients who cannot or still wish not to visit the office, we are offering private video telemedicine visits. Simply call the office at 713-785-7881 and ask for an e-visit and we will be happy to get you set up for an immediate appointment. You can also request an appointment through our website.

Because this pose is designed to improve balance, it is a great tool in the fight against falling. Here’s how to do it:

1. Stand with feet hip distance apart. Stand very tall with your body in alignment facing forward.
2. Choose a fixed spot at eye level and focus on it to help stabilize your balance.
3. Pick up your left heel, then bend your left knee and, keeping your toes and the ball of your foot on the ground for stability, slide the sole of your left foot against your right ankle.
4. Bring palms together at your chest or extend arms up to the sky, keeping shoulders relaxed and down.
5. Balance here for a few breaths. If and when you’re ready, lift your left foot off the ground and place the sole against the inside of your right leg anywhere but at the knee.
6. Balance for several breaths, then repeat with the other leg.

Chair pose
The chair pose is designed to improve both balance AND strength; as an added bonus, you can’t fall while doing it, unlike the tree pose, so it may be a great entry into balance-improvement for those who feel unsteady. Here’s how it’s done:

Sit toward the front of a chair with both feet on the floor.
2. Breathe in then exhale as you lean slightly forward from your hips, keeping your back straight. Press feet into the floor and use your legs to stand. Make sure not to round your back.
3. Inhale as you extend your arms forward to shoulder height, bend your knees and lean slightly forward from your hips — not from your waist. At the same time, stick your bottom out and, without letting your back get round, lower yourself slowly back into the chair.
4. Repeat five to 10 times, coming to a standing position, then slowly lowering yourself to the chair. Be sure not to hold your breath as you go.

Exercises such as these can help improve balance, but in my office, we have numerous other tools we can use to keep you or your elderly loved ones from falling. If you have concerns about your balance, schedule an appointment with Dr. Andrew Schneider so we can come up with a plan to keep you safe.